Separable fastener



Nov. 24, 1936. H. E.

SEPARABLE FASTENER SIPE.

Filed April 1 2 mmvroa. Harry E. S BY Patented Nov. 24, 1936 PATENT, OFFICE SEPARABLE FASTENER Harry E. Sipe, New York, N. Y., assignor to Hookless Fastener Company, a corporation of Penn-.

sylvania Application April 12, 1932, Serial No. 604,747

16 Claims. (Cl. 24-4805) My invention relates to separable fasteners and particularly to improvements in and modifications of the flexible covering and fastener combination disclosed in my earlier application Serial No. 590,656, filed February 3, 1932.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a separable fastener structure with a flexible covering which shall be more effective to conceal the fastener elements, more durable in service, and easier to manufacture.

In carrying out my invention, I employ preferably a fabric strip having apertures therein spaced in accordance with the fastener element spacing on the stringers, and fold such strip around the fastener elements with the interlocking portions thereof projecting through said apertures. The apertures are small enough so that the strip will effectively cover the major portion of the fastener elements on both sides, although if desired, the apertures can be made large enough and so arranged that the elements will be covered on only one side. If desired, to completely conceal the interlocking elements, suitable means may be provided adjacent the apertures to overlie the interlocking portions of the elements.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of wear resisting means on the fabric covering so that the constant rubbing of the slider will not seriously wear away the covering. Such wear resisting means is, of course, applicable to a fabric covering on only one side of the fastener as disclosed in my earlier application as well as any of the forms disclosed herein.

Other results and advantages of my invention will more fully appear during the course of the following specification. In the accompanying drawing I have shown for purposes of illustration, several embodiments of my invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 represents a separable fastener provided with a covering in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a section of the covered fastener disclosing the wear resisting inserts;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through a covered fastener having the Wear resisting inserts;

Fig. 4 shows a detail of the covering strip before being assembled with the fastener stringer;

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing one of the wear resisting inserts;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of a covered fastener of a modified construction wherein only a cord serves as a fastener element stringer;

Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of modified construction shown in Fig. 6

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the covering material of Fig. 7 before being applied to the fastener;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view through one half of a fastener showing a modified form of covering;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view illustrating the covering material of Fig. 9 before application to the fastener.

Fig. 11 is a cross section illustrating a still further modification;

Fig. 12 is a detail plan view illustrating the covering material of Fig. 11 before application to the fastener; and

Fig. 13 is a cross section showing a modification wherein the fastener elements are attached to the covering material in the first instance.

I have herein illustrated my invention as associated with a fastener of the type disclosed in the patent to Sundback 1,219,881, March 20, 1917. According tothe usual practice, a fastener of this type comprises mounting tapes, herein designated [5, having beaded edges to which are clamped the cooperating rows of fastener elements l6. These fastener elements are so spaced apart and formed that they may be quickly engaged and disengaged by movement of the slider I! along the fastener. The slider is conveniently actuated by a pull member l8. The fastener elements may be of any well-known construction and will not be described in detail, but it will be sufiicient to state that each element has jaws at one end for clamping it to the stringer or mounting tape, and interlocking means on the end projecting from the edge of the stringer.

For the sake of appearance, smoothness and elimination of sharp edges, it has been proposed to provide a thin flexible covering for the fastener elements. In accordance with my invention, I provide such a covering by folding a fabric strip 20 around the fastener elements, such strip having a series of apertures 2| preferably in its midsection, spaced apart in accordance with the spacing of the fastener elements IS on the stringers. It will be observed that the arrangement is such that the interlocking ends of the fastener elements project through the apertures so that they may freely interengage with one another. However, the apertures are made sufficiently small that the major part of the side and end surfaces of the fastener elements are effectively covered by the fabric strip. While I believe it is preferable to cover both sides of the elements in some instances,

it'may be desired to have only one side covered and in'that case, the apertures would be cut out on one side to allow the fastener elements to project through them The connecting portions 22 between the apertures are folded against the edge of the stringer as shown in Fig. 8. A strip of this kind may readily be made by what is known as hemstitching, which is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4.

After the strip has been folded about the fastener elements, its side to one side and attached together preferably by stitching 28. which, as illustrated in Fig. 3. also firmly attach them to the mounting tape II.

It will be observed that the slider must bear firmly against the fabric covering with its top and bottom wings I and also with its side flanges II, the latter of which bear along the end surfaces of the elements. With a covering of soft flexible material, such as fabric, between two metal surfaces, it will be evident that the fabric is likely to wear away quickly and to solve this problem, I propose to treat the portions of the fabric over which the slider rides, with suitable wear resisting means. Preferably such wear resisting means takes the form of small metal wire clips or staples 28, which are disposed in rows along the top and bottom surfaces and along the end surfaces as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the 'size of the wire clip is exaggerated, and it will be understood that these wires are of very small diameter so that they will hardly be noticed. They will be embedded in the fabric to such an extent that they may be almost invisible and yet, they will take practically all of the bearing load of the slider, thus preventing wear of the fabric. Many other wear resisting devices will also come within the scope of the invention, for example, treating the fabric with a hardening or stifiening solution along the surfaces exposed to wear.

In Fig. 3, it will be observed that the interlocking ends of the elements are not entirely covered, and if desired, to conceal the metal completely, I have illustrated suitable ways of accomplishing that result. In Fig. 6, the mounting tape I! has been omitted and the cord 29 serves as the connecting stringer for the rows of interlocking elements. In this case, the covering strip itself extends to one side and serves as means for attachment to an article to be fastened.

In Figs. 7 and 8 the flaps 32 are formed at the sides of the apertures 31, and in the assembled position shown in Figs. 6 and 10, the short fiaps 32 will overlap the interlocking ends of the elements and completely cover them.

In the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the same result may be accomplished by reverse folds 33 in the covering strip, adjacent the apertures, such folds extending over the interlocking ends when assembled to completely cover the fastener elements. A further modification is shown in Figs. 11 and 12 disposed along the edges, of in the fabric strip.

Still another modification is shown in Fig. 13 in which the covering strip is passed around the carrier cord 29. The fastener elements are thus clamped over a part of the same strip which is doubled over the elements to form a cover, and also extended to form the mounting strip.

While I have shown and described several emthe apertures 35 portions are extended single piece of fabric wherein cords 34 are bodiments which this invention may assume inpractice, these embodiments are merely forthe purposes of illustration and description and that various other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention as defined in the append ed claims. I

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination with a slider operated fastener comprising rows of multiple interlocking fastener elements and a slider movable along said elements for engaging and disengaging the same, of means for covering the major part of the fastener elements of each row comprising a having portions covering both sides of said elements, said slider being mounted to embrace and slide over said covering means.

2. In combination, cooperating rows of multiple interlocking fastener elements, means for holding the elements of each-row together in series,- a flexible strip folded around each row of elements and overlying the outer surfaces of the same, and extended to one side to provide a fiexible stringer for convenient attachment of the fastener to an article to be fastened, and a slider embracing said fastener elements and having a sliding bearing on th covering portions of said strips and adapted to slide therealong to engage or disengage said fastener elements.

3. In combination, cooperating rows of multiple interlocking fastener elements, means for holding the elements of each row together to form a series, a fiexible strip having apertures therein folded around each of said rows of elements projecting through said apertures, said strip covering the major portion of the outer surfaces of said elements, the side portions of said strip extending to one side and secured together to serve as means for attachment to an article to be fastened, and a slider mounted to embrace said fastener elements and the covering portions of said strips.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein portions of said strips extend forwardly from said apertures to cover the interlocking ends of said fastener elemen 5. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein each of said strips has a reverse fold adjacent the apertures to provide covering means extending over the interlocking portions of said elements.

6. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein there are also provided additional covering strips adjacent said apertures overlying the interlocking ends of said fastener elements.

7. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein flaps are provided at each side of said apertures to extend over the interlocking ends of said fastener elements.

8. In combination, a pair-of fastener stringers, cooperating rows of multiple interlocking fastener elements attached to adjacent edges of said stringers, a pair of covering strips having apertures therein spaced in accordance with the fastener element spacing and folded around the edges of said stringers with the projecting ends of said elements extending through said apertures, said covering strips being attached to said stringers adjacent said elements, the size of each of said apertures in the covering strips being approximately the same as the cross section of a single fastener element so that the major portion of the outer surfaces of said elements will be covered by said strips when the fastener is closed, and a slider embracing said fastener elements and having a sliding bearing on the covering portions of said strips to engage disengage said fastener. elements.

9. In combination, cooperating rows of mu]- terensaging fastening means. means forming fabric outer surfaces overlying said fastening means, a slider embracing said fastening means and adapted to slide along said fabricsurfaces, 1

5 tiple interlocking fastener elements, means for and wear resisting inserts in said fabric surfaces 5 mounting each of said rows comprising a fabric on which said slider is adapted to slide. strip, portions of which are clamped by said 13. The combination defined in claim fastener elements, said strip having portions exwherein said wear resisting means comprises a tending over the greater part of the outer surplurality of rows of metal wire clips partially 10 faces of said elements when the elements are embedded in the fabric. 1. engaged and other portions extending to one 14. In combination, cooperating rows of mulside thereof to formconvenient means for attiple interlocking fastener elements, a fabric tachment to an article to be fastened, and a strip overlying the end and top surfaces of each slider embracing said fastener elements and covrow of fastener elements, and wear resisting l5 ering portions and adapted to slide thereon. to inserts in the portion of said fabric strip overlyll engage and disengage said elements. ing said end surfaces.

10. In combination, cooperating series of mul- 15. In combination, cooperating rows of mul tiple fastener elements, means for mounting said tiple interlocking fastener elements, a fabric strip elements in series, covering strips overlying and overlying the end and top surfaces of each row attached to each of said rows of elements, said of fastener elements, and wear resisting inserts I covering strips being of relatively soft material, in the portion of said fabric strip overlying said wear resisting means on the outer surfaces of top surfaces. said covering strips of relatively hard material, 16. In combination, cooperating rows of muland a slider embracing said fastener elements and tiple interlocking fastener elements, a fabric strip covering strips and adapted to slide thereon to overlying the end and top surfaces of each row 88 engage and disengage said fastener elements. of fastener elements, and wear resisting inserts 11. The combination definedin claim 10 wherein the portion of said fabric strip overlying both insaid wear resisting means comprises metal said top and said end surfaces. inserts in said covering strips. v 12. An interlocking fastener comprising in- HARRY E. SIPE.

CERTIFICATE or cossscrxon.

Patent No. 2,061,683. November 24, 1936.

V HARRY E. SIPE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 35, claim 5, before the word "projecting" insert with the interlocking portions of said elements; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

j Signed and sealed this 2nd day of February, A. D. 1937.

Leslie Frazer S'Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

ments and having a sliding bearing on the covering portions of said strips to engage disengage said fastener. elements.

9. In combination, cooperating rows of mu]- terensaging fastening means. means forming fabric outer surfaces overlying said fastening means, a slider embracing said fastening means and adapted to slide along said fabricsurfaces, 1

5 tiple interlocking fastener elements, means for and wear resisting inserts in said fabric surfaces 5 mounting each of said rows comprising a fabric on which said slider is adapted to slide. strip, portions of which are clamped by said 13. The combination defined in claim fastener elements, said strip having portions exwherein said wear resisting means comprises a tending over the greater part of the outer surplurality of rows of metal wire clips partially 10 faces of said elements when the elements are embedded in the fabric. 1. engaged and other portions extending to one 14. In combination, cooperating rows of mulside thereof to formconvenient means for attiple interlocking fastener elements, a fabric tachment to an article to be fastened, and a strip overlying the end and top surfaces of each slider embracing said fastener elements and covrow of fastener elements, and wear resisting l5 ering portions and adapted to slide thereon. to inserts in the portion of said fabric strip overlyll engage and disengage said elements. ing said end surfaces.

10. In combination, cooperating series of mul- 15. In combination, cooperating rows of mul tiple fastener elements, means for mounting said tiple interlocking fastener elements, a fabric strip elements in series, covering strips overlying and overlying the end and top surfaces of each row attached to each of said rows of elements, said of fastener elements, and wear resisting inserts I covering strips being of relatively soft material, in the portion of said fabric strip overlying said wear resisting means on the outer surfaces of top surfaces. said covering strips of relatively hard material, 16. In combination, cooperating rows of muland a slider embracing said fastener elements and tiple interlocking fastener elements, a fabric strip covering strips and adapted to slide thereon to overlying the end and top surfaces of each row 88 engage and disengage said fastener elements. of fastener elements, and wear resisting inserts 11. The combination definedin claim 10 wherein the portion of said fabric strip overlying both insaid wear resisting means comprises metal said top and said end surfaces. inserts in said covering strips. v 12. An interlocking fastener comprising in- HARRY E. SIPE.

CERTIFICATE or cossscrxon.

Patent No. 2,061,683. November 24, 1936.

V HARRY E. SIPE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 35, claim 5, before the word "projecting" insert with the interlocking portions of said elements; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

j Signed and sealed this 2nd day of February, A. D. 1937.

Leslie Frazer S'Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

